xxxviii. 1. _Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die._
This message sent from God to Hezekiah in his sickness contains a
warning applicable to us all. It becomes us all to maintain such
order in our worldly and spiritual affairs as that death, whenever he
knocks at our door, may find us prepared to obey his summons
(H. E. I. 1562-1566). But this is especially the duty of those who
are visited, even now, by the forerunners and harbingers of death
(H. E. I. 1561).
Most men, when laid aside by sickness, are disposed to turn in their
pain and apparent peril to God who hath smitten, and who alone can
heal; and to prepare for the great change in which the sickness may
terminate. But few when thus called upon know how to set about the
work, which they are then ready to allow to be most necessary and
urgent. Even those who have lived outwardly blameless lives, are apt
to be so distressed and confused by fear of death, that they do not
know how to do what will turn the king of terrors into a messenger of
peace, rest, and immortality (H. E. I. 1567, 1568, 1570; P. D. 684,
741, 761). Therefore, let those who are now in health receive some
hints for their behaviour under sickness.